The “Home Run Campaign for Greenwood Baseball Field” proposes to raise $2.5 million dollars for the expansion and renovations of UNC Asheville’s home facility for baseball to meet the minimum standards of the Big South Conference. The renovations include 500 seats for fans, press box with seating, dugouts, accessible restrooms for student-athletes and fans, concession areas, scoreboard upgrades, batting cages, lights, and high-speed internet access for video streaming and television broadcasts.

Two million dollars will go toward designing and renovating Greenwood Field, while $500,000 will provide for associated costs such as replacing fencing and improving bullpens.

The project is being funded through private donations from alumni, friends and parents. Funds raised would be deposited into the UNC Asheville Foundation to provide oversight in allocating the utilization of these funds to begin and complete the project. UNC Asheville Athletics is required by North Carolina Law to be self-funded, no state funds can be used for this facility construction project.

The “Home Run Campaign” has several different giving levels and naming opportunities. Giving levels range from “stolen base” at $300 to “home run” at $10,000 or above. Donor recognition levels range from $5,000 to one million dollars.

Bulldog head coach Tom Smith is excited about the project.

“The renovations of our campus baseball facility would be a source of pride that enables us to market UNC Asheville baseball to potential student-athletes, the Asheville community and be a draw for amateur baseball in a destination city,” declared Smith.

Neal Hanks, President of Beverly Hanks & Associates Realtors & Co-Chair of the Home Run Campaign, believes a renovated Greenwood Field can have an impact like Kimmel Arena.

“UNC Asheville not only provides outstanding educational opportunities but also contributes significantly to our local economy and enhances the quality of life that we all enjoy here,” stated Hanks. “One need only look at the success of Kimmel Arena to recognize the positive impact that high-quality facilities have upon recruiting, attendance and the local community. UNC Asheville is in dire need of a baseball stadium fitting of their program and the standards set by the Big South Conference.”

Alumni also support the project. Eric Filipek, Class of 1997, enjoyed a great career for the Bulldogs and also served as an assistant coach. He is a committee member.

“It has been more than 15 years since I attended a class or stepped on the baseball field as a Bulldog in a competitive situation, but I have called Asheville my home the past six years and now raise my children five miles from my Alma Mater,” commented Filipek. “It is chilling to walk the campus and see the exquisite changes that have made UNC Asheville an attractive and unique place to be.

“It is exciting that the baseball facility, which for years has failed in comparison to the high-quality of other areas of campus, is now becoming a priority to be developed,” added Filipek. “Coach Smith and the program deserve a fair chance to succeed, and this area desperately needs a viable collegiate baseball facility. This is a huge step in creating a positive atmosphere that all of us can rally around and support.”

Construction will not begin until at least 70 percent of the funding has been raised with the additional 30 percent in secured pledges having been established within the UNC Asheville Foundation.

To make a contribution or for more information, you can click on the button at uncabulldogs.com or contact Director of Athletics, Janet R. Cone at jone@unca.edu or call 828-251-6922.